A LIVING HISTORY BLOG.

Thursday, 31 December 2015

I have been trying to find more information on flint
wallets, but not finding much. I do have some images, but there are no early to
mid 18th century examples and some images show very little of the pattern.

A flint wallet is used to secure spare gun flints for use in flintlock guns.

This should be important to readers of this blog because it concerns our freedoms, our rights & our right to bear arms. Any firearms control effects muzzle-loader owners as much if not more than anyone else.Keith.

Thursday, 24 December 2015

Do restrictions on law abiding licensed firearms owners
do anything to stop the above problems/threats? Answer: No

Why No? Because law abiding citizens are not criminals or
terrorists & if they want to commit suicide they have other gentler means
of killing themselves without blowing their brains out.

How do restrictions to muzzle-loading long arms &
pistols effect the above? They don’t is the easy answer. No criminal will
choose a muzzle-loading firearm over a modern breach loading firearm to use in
committing a crime.

Why are restrictions placed on muzzle-loading firearms by
the Australian government if by doing so it has no effects on crime, terrorism
or suicide? Good question, & if we could actually ask the government this
question & get an answer, it would be very interesting to hear but probably
complete & utter bullshit.

Firearms restrictions are based on the premise that they
keep the public safe, but to date that has never been proven to be the case, in
fact, there is some question as to whether being able to carry a side arm in
public may not actually be a deterrent to crime & terrorism.

Let us take a look at the rules in NSW concerning
muzzle-loading firearms:

·Antique muzzle-loading guns do
not require a permit to purchase, registration, or a firearms licence. But you
are not legally allowed to fire an antique gun.

·Replica muzzle-loading guns are exactly
the same as antique muzzle-loading guns, exactly the same in all respects.
The loading procedure, the firing procedure, & the ignition method. All are
the same. Replica muzzle-loaders are just that, they are replicated copies of
originals. Not breach loaders, not smokeless gunpowder, not fast loading, not
high powered. But still they require registration, permit to purchase, & a
firearms licence. In the case of a flintlock, matchlock, tinderlock or wheel
lock pistol, they require a Pistol Licence, & to get a pistol licence you
have to join a pistol club, & to maintain membership you have to attend
regular meetings, & the membership is expensive. On top of this you are not
allowed to use this muzzle-loading pistol anywhere except on an approved firing
range.

Anyone wanting to make a crude muzzle-loading gun can do
so in about 30 minutes using a piece of gas pipe. It would be illegal to do so,
but it could easily be done. Yet the above restrictions on these primitive guns
are supposed to be keeping the public safe from harm. If it were not so
serious, if it did not seriously affect people’s rights to recreation through
Living History & Historical Re-enacting, it would be laughable. The
legislators who pen these laws may well be looked on as a joke, but the
restrictions they place on law abiding citizens is no joke.

I respect other people’s points of view, I understand why
some people are frightened by guns. I understand & respect their wish not
to own or use a gun, even in the defence of their loved ones & themselves.
But I simply can not understand why they are unable to look at the situation
& understand that law abiding citizens are not the enemy, we are not a part
of the problem, and we are not criminals. Treating us as such is unforgivable
& an offence against human rights.

Disagreeing with someone is a human right, but spreading
misinformation & lies is something else. The Greens, the government &
other anti-gun lobby groups are guilty of spreading misinformation, lies &
fear mongering in order to achieve further restrictions on firearms &
ammunition just to satisfy their own need to control people, to gain some sort
of power. It makes them feel good. What then does this say for these sorts of
people?

We, the law abiding gun owner are not totally blameless
in the restrictions that we suffer. Self-serving organisations such as the
S.S.A.A. (Sporting Shooters Association Of Australia) could be doing a lot more
for Australian gun owners, but instead it seems to me that they are more
interested in not rocking the boat & at the same time lining their own
pockets. Individuals are divided, muzzle-loading shooters have always readily
backed modern gun shooters, but modern firearms owners are often guilty of
hanging us black powder enthusiasts out to dry! I don’t see that anyone is
dividing us, we seem to have divided ourselves. When we finally have so many
restrictions & possibly even confiscations, then we will have no one to
blame but ourselves.
Keith H. Burgess.

This I think is a prime example of how firearms owners in
Australia DO NOT support each other. Not only that, but the different factions
or special interest groups within firearms associations also fail to support
each other. No wonder we are slowly but surely losing our rights.
It is just about the end of another year, & this petition is now CLOSED. I
would like to sincerely thank all those gun owners who supported my petition,
ALL 25 OF YOU!!!
This was not only posted on facebook, but it was also posted on my blogs &
other media outlets. Now whilst it is possible that many people did not agree
with my petition, I find it hard to believe that I only got 25 signatures.
Keith.

Tuesday, 22 December 2015

In past articles I have used the term "weskit" to describe an 18th century waistcoat. Today one of my readers contacted me to tell me that this term "weskit" was a 19th century term. From where & from whom I I got this term weskit I can't remember, but regardless it is entirely my own fault for not double checking & doing my own research. So I want to apologies to all my readers for spreading this misinformation, I feel a right twit !!! Especially as I have also written extensively on the importance of doing "your own research" Arrrrggg!

Waistcoat+(or WesKit) Waistcoats vests were worn by most men as a
normal part of their everyday clothing
in both summer and winter. Sleeved waistcoats were much preferred for
winter. They were worn over the shirt and breeches and under a frock or coat.
They were made of linen, fustian, silk or fine wool twill, and almost always
lined. The length of the waistcoat was determined by the wearer, In the mid
1700s they were generally mid thigh and got shorter as the century progressed.
They may have been striped, printed, checked, or solid, and matched or
contrasted with the breeches and the coat. While many waistcoats were cut to
fit the wearer snugly and fashionable, others were made with lacing or ties on
the back to draw the waistcoat snug. Lacing or ties are very practical for
weight gain and loss, but were seldom used on sleeved waistcoats. Most
waistcoats had front pockets at the waist, yet some had "false pockets"
with only a pocket flap complete with buttonholes.

WESKIT / WAISTCOAT The waistcoat was considered a “must” for wear if
one did not have a jacket or coat on. Waistcoats were fashionable and daily
wear for men of this time. Both sleeveless and sleeved waistcoats are correct.

JAEGER’S BATTALION ROGERS’ RANGERS A GUIDE FOR PROPER CLOTHING AND
GEAR IN THE 1750s

Weskit "Das Kamisol": Made of white linen
in the 1770's style is the primary weskit used for the summer uniform while
weskits of hunter green wool is generally used for winter wear. Both the summer
and winter weskit typically have pockets but is not a requirement. Weskits of
other colors and materials may be used as an option but should be of the 1770's
style.

Our unit chooses to follow these guidelines, as they seem
the most likely conclusions based on primary documents. It should be noted
however, that we are choosing to wear the Light Infantry pattern weskit that
was approved by the King in 1771.

b. A short garment worn beneath the
coat or jacket as a usual part of male attire; a waistcoat.

1666 S. Pepys Diary 8 Oct.
(1972) VII. 315 The King hath yesterday in council, declared his
resolution of setting a fashion for clothes... It will be a vest, I know not
well how. But it is to teach the nobility thrift.

1666 S. Pepys Diary 15 Oct.
(1972) VII. 324 This day the King begins to put on his Vest..being
a long Cassocke close to the body, of black cloth and pinked with white silk
under it, and a coat over it, and the legs ruffled with black riband like a
pigeon's leg.

These are only some of the chores that colonial children were required to perform. These children come from a wealthy household, but have come on hard times & are forced to live in the woods. Although this is in England & not the American colonies, the chores are the same.Keith.

This man was stupid enough to have gunpowder (Black Powder) sitting loose & open on the loading bench when shooting. A spark from his gun ignited the gunpowder creating a large flash. NEVER have gunpowder sitting on the loading/firing bench. If you are using a powder horn, swing it round behind you & make sure the plug is in the spout. THIS IS PLAIN COMMON SENSE. If you do not posses any common sense, then you should not be shooting in the first place!!!

Saturday, 19 December 2015

PERIOD: England, 17th century | SOURCE: The
Whole Duty of a Woman: Or a Guide to the Female Sex, 1696 | CLASS: Authentic

DESCRIPTION: Sausages boiled in wine and herbs

Sausages to Boyl.

Put a pint of Claret to a quart of Water, put in some
sweet herbs finely shred, a blade or two of Mace, and some Cinamon, let them
boyl about a quarter of an hour, then serve them up with beaten Ginger, Cinamon
or Mustard and Sugar, in Sawcers.

SAUSAGES.

Take a leg of Pork, Parboil itt, take hogs sowit [suet]
and sage, and mix them together very small, put in a good deal of Pepper &
Salt as much as you think fitt, stir itt well together, then take Sheeps Gutts
and scower them very well with salt and fill them, tye them up in Links and
hang them up smoaking till you use them (MS 7998, Wellcome Collection).

Take either mutton, veale or pork (you may cut it from
the legg as much as will make a reasonable dish & not deface the legg) then
take of any ruff suet as much as your quantity of meat is, then beat it &
shread it very small, and putt to it a little sage shread small, & season
it with salt, pepper & nutmegg if you please, then take one egg white &
all mix them alltogether very well, Rub your hands with a little flower so
rowle it up in rowles twice as long as your finger, as thick as pig puddings,
frye them with butter or any other liquor, or you may stew them in mutton
broath with apples & onions. (MS4054, Wellcome Collection)

Half a pound of lean Veal, Pork, or Beef, Half a pound of
Beef Suet, One Score of Oysters just warmed in their own liquor, all to be
chopped very fine and mixed together with two Eggs well beaten, a very little
Cayenne, Salt and Nutmeg, and one or two Cloves, make them into flat Cakes or
Balls, roll them in Crumbs of Bread, and fry them of a pale Brown, add the
liquor of the Oysters to the Sausages. N.B. If the Oysters are small it will
require two Score. (MS 3082, Wellcome Collection)

Saturday, 12 December 2015

Kevin recently purchased this hollowed log water canteen pictured below, & kindly gave me permission to show it on this blog. By its size I would say it is a personal water bottle & not a field canteen which is unusual for this type of manufacture. Being a hollowed log type I really don't expect to find another exactly like it, but there may be similar ones. If anyone can add any information on this canteen, Kevin & I would very much appreciate it.Because of its individual nature, I find it hard to date. At a guess I would say anywhere from mid 18th century to early 19th century. Following is a description supplied by Kiev:

"The canteen measures about 8 1/4" tall and
4" diameter at the base, which tapers slightly to about 3 1/2". The
cylinder is a single piece of carved wood (not staved), and the brass bands
appear to be hand-forged with dovetail joins. There are two openings at the
top, one with a decorative brass spout".

Thursday, 10 December 2015

I made a hammer boot/cap for my pistol, & I made a loop stitched to the inside of my waist belt to better secure the short barrel on my pistol. I have not copied this from any period source, but it seemed a reasonable thing to do to solve the problem of my pistol falling out of the belt.I oiled my waist belt, belt bag, fire-bag & moccasins, all were well overdue. I was amazed at how much the leather had dried out since its last greasing.

Wednesday, 9 December 2015

I have had requests to show my left hand pistol in more detail. The lock plate is brass, & the cannon barrel is brass (possibly bronze) & .70 caliber. This is an antique, but it came with no history & no maker's marks. More than likely French going by the cock design, stock & cannon barrel. Not all makers would mark their guns.But searching further, I came across some French pistols made by Duval a Nantes made in the mid 18th century. I think there is a very good chance that my pistol is an earlier Nantes. If it is a Nantes, why didn't he mark it? Possibly because it was one of his first guns? Did he make this whilst in an apprenticeship working for another gun maker? Or could it have something to do with it being left handed? We/I may never know.There is also the possibility that this was made by someone else copying the Nantes. Any thoughts?

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Settlers.

"I noticed particularly, one family of about 12 in number. The mancarried an axe and a gun on his shoulders. The Wife, the rim of a spinningwheel in one hand, and a loaf of bread in the other. Several little boys andgirls, each with a bundle, according to their size Two poor horses, eachheavily loaded with some poor necessities. On the top of the baggage of one,was an infant rocked to sleep in a kind of wicker cage, lashed securely to thehorse. A cow formed one of the company ,and she was destined to bear herproportion of service - a bed cord was wound around her horns and a bag of mealon her back. They were not only patient, but cheerful and pleased withthemselves with the expectation of seeing happy days beyond the mountains"Diary of Presbyterian Rev. David McClure.18th century.

What is Living History?

What is Living History?Living history makes history come to life. To do this members emulate different sorts of people from history. These can include blacksmiths, seamstresses, housewives, farmers, woodsmen and woodswomen. We wear the clothes of the time and learn and use the life and trade skills of the period.What period of history does the NECLHG re-enact ?Approximately 1680-1760 on the New World Frontier.Why this period of history and why a New World lifestyle and not Australian?The New World was settled much earlier than Australia and enables us to choose from a larger variety of nationalities, occupations and skills. All of these options make the activities more fun.Australian settlement was in a later period and founded on a penal colony. There are other re-enactment groups for people interested in the Australian colonial period.Is joining NECLHG expensive?No. There are no membership fees for the group. The activity is only as expensive as you want it to be! Many members make all their own period style clothing and equipment. This is an ideal activity for people who like to make things and be creative.What if there are some items I can not make myself or I am too busy to make?You always have the option of buying or trading for items. People who want to purchase their clothing and equipment can do so; there are many specialist suppliers. Also you can trade for items you can not make .Can my family join this group?Yes we are very family oriented.What is experimental archaeology?This is the term used when someone makes and uses a period tool or item. This can be anything from lighting a fire with a flint and steel to building and sailing a ship on an original route! It is the only way to really discover how things were done “back then”.What is historical trekking?This activity is trekking and camping in an historically accurate manner. People on a historical trek wear the clothing of the period and carry and use only the equipment used in that period. These treks are a great way to learn woods lore and survival skills.What sort of “period skills” can we learn and practice?You can learn and use any skill that was used in the period you reenact. For the mid-18th century these include spinning and weaving on a loom, finger weaving, tomahawk throwing, fire lighting, blade sharpening, leather making and leather working and much, much more.Is the NECLHG a gun club?No. Some on our members may carry a period gun on treks and camps as part of their persona. These guns are flintlock muzzle-loading antique guns or copies. The highest level of safely is maintained at all times. Guns are not carried loaded and all gun carrying members are licensed.What about women members?In the 18th century women performed many traditional and non traditional roles. There were women blacksmiths, naturalists, artists, and woods-women. Some accompanied militia on scouts . In the NECLHG a women can be what ever she wants to be!What about children.?Children are always welcome. Naturally children are the responsibility of their parents. Children really enjoy the living history activities and skills. It is a wonderful way to learn history and it makes their school based history a lot more meaningful. Also children can learn bush craft, survival skills and camping skills.